How to Breastfeed a Newborn: Learning the Right Techniques

It is essential for us to see to it that our newborn baby will receive the right amount of nutrients because this is the time of their lives when they are most fragile. They can easily get infected by the different kinds of germs and bacteria found everywhere. Their bodies are also not yet fully developed, which is why we need to take extra care of them.

One of the ways to do this is by breastfeeding our newborn babies. As easy as it sounds, it's not that simple because you need to consider a lot of things as well as some techniques to properly do it.

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In this article, we're going to show you how to breastfeed a newborn baby the right way. We'll also include some handy tips and tricks that'll surely make your breastfeeding session easier, more efficient, and more nutritious. For sure, you'll have a baby that'll grow healthy and strong.

Before You Start BreastfeedingYour Baby

1. Proper Positioning

Before you start breastfeeding your newborn, you should first see to it that you and your baby will be positioned properly. The ideal position is that your baby’s nose should be touching your nipple. Their belly should also be touching your belly. This ensures that your baby will be secured and would not fall off your arms. The stomach of the baby should touch yours so that they won’t have a hard time in reaching for your nipple. Most nursing mothers breastfeed their babies wrong because they point their nipple at their babies’ mouth, when in fact, you should point your nipple on your baby’s nose.

By doing this, you’re making sure that your baby will lift their head up. When they lift their head up, milk from your breast can easily fall down their throat because of the pull of gravity. They’re also most likely to latch on deeply on your nipples, giving a tight suckle on your breast. It’s with this that no milk gets wasted.

3. Lie On Your Side

It's also important that you lie on your side whenever you breastfeed your newborn. Lying on your side is the ideal position for you because this lets your shoulders and lower back relax. This also lessens the likelihood that you'll hunch over just to let your baby reach your breast. If you've undergone a Caesarian section when you gave birth, this is the ideal breastfeeding position for you.

It's also recommended for mothers who have carpal tunnel syndrome because it lets you rest your hands and arms properly on the bed or pillow. It's also recommended that you put a pillow in between your knees. Also, prepare another pillow that you'll put between your arm and head. This will give you enough cushion to make your breastfeeding session more comfortable and relaxed.

4. Nursing Stool

A nursing stool is another useful tool that you should use when breastfeeding. This is because it makes it easier for you to breastfeed your baby because it takes away a lot of the pressure you need to absorb when carrying your baby. Let’s face it, your baby’s weight is the main factor as to why breastfeeding is a bit strenuous.

By having something that will carry your baby’s weight, you’re also making sure that you don’t have to exert effort just to carry that weight. Your nursing stool is the one in-charge of that. When choosing a nursing stool, see to it that it's durable and comfortable to use at the same time. It should have padded cushions, and it should be made from high-quality premium materials. You want something that offers you good support and comfort at the same time.

5. Let Your Baby’s Feet Touch Something

This is another handy trick to make your breastfeeding session easier and more comfortable. By simply letting your baby’s feet touch something, such as your leg, chair, or pillow, you’re making them feel more comfortable. When this happens, they start to become more confident in suckling your nipple. Having something to touch while drinking milk from your breast makes them feel more secure and safe, this is why they tend to continue drinking more milk from you.

Step-by-Step Process of Breastfeeding Your Newborn

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Let Your Baby Face Your Breasts

The first thing you need to do when breastfeeding your newborn is to let them face your breast. Their head should be comfortable positioned facing your breast while their nose is directly aligned on your nipple. Your baby's stomach should also be facing your stomach. It's best if it touches yours so that the surface tension will ensure that your baby will stay stable and secure. Also, see to it that your baby's head is aligned with the rest of their body. This makes it easier for your baby to swallow the suckled milk from your breast. If they are constantly moving, you can gently rock and cradle them for twenty to thirty seconds every ten to fifteen minutes.

Tickle Baby’s Lips with Your Nipple

The next thing you need to do is to make sure that your baby opens their mouth widely. You can do this by simply tickling their lips using your nipple. Your nipple has a soft texture that is enough to stimulate your baby's sense of touch located in their gentle lips. Simply brush your nipple over their lips slowly in a circular motion. Rub it first at the bottom of their lips and slowly rub it upwards in a clockwise motion.

Take Advantage of the Rooting Reflex

When you're breastfeeding, you're most likely going to experience that your baby will sooner or later turn away from your breast. When this happens, the best thing you can do is to hold their check that is nearest to you gently. As you're holding their cheek, you can try to slowly stroke it in an upward to downward motion. This will stimulate your baby's rooting reflex, which will then make them turn their head back to your breast.

Let Your Baby Take the Initiative

When your baby's mouth is already opened wide, that's the time you can hold onto the nape of their neck and gently thrust their head towards your breast. As you're doing this, make sure that it's in a swift motion so that it won't hurt them. Never lean over just to let your baby reach your breast. Let them do it for you. Your baby should be the one to initiate the act and bring their mouth to your nipple. This not only makes it easier for you, but it also helps your baby to learn independence and leadership skills.

Check for Signs

It’s a good sign that you’re doing the whole breastfeeding process properly when the chin of your baby touches your breast. Another sign that you’re doing it well is when the tip of your baby's nose touches your breast. You can check how your baby’s lips are positioned. If you see that the lips are flared outward just like how fishes’ lips are positioned, then it’s a good sign that they're comfortable in drinking milk from your breast.

This is also the time when you need to double check if your baby is suckling your nipple. What usually happens during this stage is that the baby might suckle on their lips or even tongue. This might cause mouth sores or blisters, which is why you always need to check your baby's mouth visually.

Suckling vs. Sucking

It's important that you know the difference between suckling and sucking. When it comes to breastfeeding, your baby should be suckling on your nipple and not only suck. Sucking is merely chewing or gumming on your nipple. Your baby doesn't swallow anything when they're sucking, contrary to suckling which involves a rhythmic motion of sucking and swallowing. You'll know if they're properly latched onto your nipple if there are no clicking noises. You can also listen to the sound that is produced by your baby's gulping motion.

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Conclusion

It is necessary for all nursing mothers to know the proper way to breastfeed their children. It’s through this that you can ensure that your baby will grow healthy. Even though there are a lot of powdered milk formulas for newborn babies, nothing still compares to the health benefits that your baby can get if they were to breastfeed from you. Though breastfeeding might sound very simple, it isn't an easy thing to do because you need to consider a lot of things and techniques to get it right.

[…] all moms are stay-at-home moms. There are working moms who can’t really feed their little ones on demand 24/7. If you wish to keep providing your little one with breastmilk, a practical solution […]

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Only being 36, I understand that becoming a new mom is incredibly exciting but also challenging. I remember having a multitude of questions when it came to my pregnancy, taking care of a newborn child, and raising little ones. That is why I decided to create this blog [...]

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